Taurus 856: Return of a Classic Revolver

Taurus USA announced the return of the Model 856 revolver at the 2018 SHOT Show.

While the gun is interesting on its own, I find that it is an even more compelling introduction when it is put head-to-head with the Colt Cobra. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s first take a look at what the gun is.

Just the Facts

At its most basic, the Taurus 856 is a 6-shot, compact revolver with a steel frame. It comes in at less than 1.5 pounds unloaded and is chambered for the venerable .38 Special cartridge.

The gun has sights typical to concealed carry revolvers of this size: a fixed front ramp with a trench-style rear that is integral to the frame and top strap.

Taurus uses a set of its own rubber stocks on the gun. I’ve not had a chance to shoot a gun with these grips yet, but they look to be an improvement over some of the grips the company used in the past. The profile looks similar to Pachmayr Compac grips I’ve used occasionally on my Smith & Wesson J-frames.

Six Shots or Only Five?

When Dirty Harry asked that question, he was talking about the rounds in his 6-shot .44 Magnum. But a lot of cops were asking themselves the same question when that movie was released. Should their backup gun hold six shots, or only five?

While many compact wheel guns use a 5-shot cylinder to decrease the gun’s width, there are a lot of people who are hesitant to give up that extra round of ammunition in their defensive handgun.

Guns like the Colt Cobra battled the 5-shot J-frames from Smith & Wesson for position in the ankle holsters of cops in the 60s and 70s. That single extra round of ammo made the decision easy for a lot of lawmen. A little extra width and weight were a cheap price for 20% more firepower.

With the renewed interest in the compact revolver, companies have expanded their wheelgun offerings in recent years. This includes Colt, that rolled out its updated Cobra in 2017.

Bull vs. Snake

The new Taurus 856 is a direct competitor to the new Cobra. Both are compact, steel-frame revolvers with 6-shot cylinders.

There are differences, of course. Here’s a look at some of their specs:

Taurus 856

Colt Cobra

caliber

.38 Special

.38 Special

capacity

6 rounds

6 rounds

action

double action/single action

double action/single action

barrel length

2"

2"

overall length

6.55"

7.2"

unloaded weight

22.1 oz

25.0 oz

frame material

carbon steel or stainless steel

stainless steel

height

4.8"

4.9"

width

1.41"

1.40"

sights

serrated front ramp, fixed trench style rear

fiber optic front, fixed trench style rear

grip

Taurus branded rubber

Hogue Overmolded

finish

matte blue or matte stainless

matte finish

MSRP

$329

$699

While I would prefer the Colt’s fiber optic sight to the Taurus’s serrated ramp, the specs seem to heavily favor the Model 856 when you factor in the final comparison: the price.

The Colt Cobra is more than twice the price of the Taurus 856.

I would never buy a self-defense handgun on price alone. However, the huge price difference is likely to sway many people standing at a gun counter.

For me, the key differences are the ones not listed in the spec chart above. What kind of reliability can I expect out of each gun? How smooth is the trigger? Does the gun feel good in my hand?

Those are things that I can only determine through testing of the guns.

Final Thoughts

Taurus USA and its parent company have been through some rough years. I don’t know if the bad times are truly behind them, but I do like the guns I’ve seen announced at the SHOT Show this year. The guns expand on the company’s best lines and are interesting enough to bring in new buyers.

The Model 856 seems to be introduced with the same reasoning. It is a known winner and is competing in a popular niche with relatively little direct competition: compact, 6-shot revolvers. With such an inexpensive MSRP, I suspect these guns will be good sellers.

If Taurus quality control can keep these guns in the hands of its customers and out of the repair center, I think this gun can go a long way in restoring trust to the Taurus brand.

The 856 is a tried and true model. I’m glad to see its making a comeback – I bet they’ll sell a ton. I’ve personally had great luck with Taurus revolvers…I browsed your comments – you don’t have anything positive to say – about anything really. I bet you’re hell and Jesus at a Christmas party! “Taurus is junk” – come stand in front of one of mine then, tough guy AHAHAHAHAHA

I must say the Taurus 85’s I have owned of late have been really nice … Better triggers out of the box than any out of the box newer production S&W J frame I have owned , including the performance center J frame models …From what I have read the 85 is going to be replaced by the 856 …. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Poly 85’s turn into Poly 856 ….
The 856UL is on my short list !

Thinking about a new gun, why do you say Taurus is Junk? Not trying to be a wise ass, but are you stating this on fact or personal opinion? I have been doing research on Taurus and not finding anything that will back it up. I know it is not a Sig, Glock, Ruger, S&W or HK, but my new Malibu is not a Caddy. BMW, Mercedes or Lincoln but a Chevy. But I wouldn’t consider it Junk.

I know your question is directed toward Shawn, but I figured I would chime in.

While I hesitate from making a blanket statement that Taurus is junk, I also would urge caution on selecting a firearm. While I hope Taurus makes quality Model 856 revolvers, the company seems to have an extensive history of inferior quality control and marginal customer service.

For example, I purchased the new Taurus Spectrum a couple of weeks ago for testing. The gun would not function correctly and I’ve now shipped it back to the company for repairs. That was after spending more than an hour on hold waiting to talk to a human in the customer service department.

These are just a few of my personal experiences. The class action lawsuit against them (surrounding guns discharging and injuring people due to alleged mechanical defect) is a fairly well known issue the company is still dealing with. Of course, there are also several videos that have surfaced of Taurus guns firing while “on safe”.

I’m hesitant to call all Taurus guns junk. However, I don’t blame anyone who feels that way either.

Well I can state for a fact that of my experience with Taurus have been great and thay are very far from being junk guns. I’ve got a Taurus 709 Slim 9mm that a hold really tight pattern at 25 steps and I got a Smith & Wesson SD 40 ve that is ABOUT to go back Smith & Wesson for the second time. if it’s not shooting all over the place is shooting low and to the left and iam right hand . I had a Taurus 40 caliber compact never had a problem out of it it don’t matter what gun or Gun Company you buy a gun from sometimes you going to get them that you’re just not a good gun. it’s just the way it is but to call another brand junk but you have to call them all Taurus junk as maybe you had bad luck or got a lemon some gun they all have flaws they’re built by man enough said. I trust my Taurus 9mm over a Smith & Wesson all day long as I just got off the phone with Smith & Wesson in the SD stands for self-defense well if you got a gun that you can’t even hit nobody with not very good self defense and that’s one of your big name companies I’m not calling them junk the gun just got problems .have a GOOD day

Self-defense is a subset of combat. Night sights on a self-defense handgun can be useful for a lot of people.

I’m not sure how many people would want them on a hunting handgun, however. I imagine most handgun hunters would prefer better precision than night sights tend to provide (assuming you are aligning the dots, etc.)

Nor did I say that anyone does. I was responding to your comments about the application of night sights on a firearm. In case I was not clear, let me restate:

1. Night sights on a self defense handgun are a good choice for many people.
2. Many, if not most, handgun hunters would not willingly choose to use night sights on a hunting handgun as they tend to be less precise than other sighting options.

My comments in no way suggest that anyone hunt with a short barrel revolver. Rather, I am addressing your statement that night sights are not appropriate for self defense weapons – just “combat or hunting.”

This would be great for CCW. I still hate that revolvers are more expensive than semi autos. It makes zero sense when they are cheaper to make. Because of this I don’t buy revolvers anymore. Only semi autos.

As for reliability and quality goes, I have a Rossi model 82 4″ that I have run several thousand rounds through on top of whatever Peruvian law enforcement officer put through it, yup it was a police turn in from……well, Peru with a lanyard ring and everything. I ceracoated the revolver and it remains dead on accurate….better than my abilities and has never had any issues. I also have a Rossi 971 from back when those revolvers were offered in 2.5″ configuration, in stainless and of course with the adjustable sights that 971 revolves still come with though they have eliminated the snubbie line and I dont even think they are available in stainless any longer. Of course Rossi is now owned by Taurus.
The only problem I have had with any Taurus handgun was an early issue 1911 which I had hell with and sent to Taurus twice to fix operational problems and sold it when it returned from its second trip. I hear later issued 1911’s by Taurus work fine but cannot personally attest to it. Save money, for a self defense withing 10-15 yard revolver these Rossi or Taurus handguns cannot be beat and are at least as accurate and reliable as their much more expensive Ruger or Smith or especially Colt counterparts.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with some classic Rossi revolvers. I’ve met several people who love their pre-Taurus guns and are not likely to give them up.

Regarding self-defense, I’m not worried about the price as much as I am with reliability. I’m willing to pay extra for a gun that has proved to be reliable. Of course, I’m not someone who is foolish enough to think that the most expensive pistol is the most reliable one either.

That said, I hope Taurus gets its act together and starts making guns I can count on. My new Spectrum that I bought this year is a dog – even after a return trip to the company to be fixed. It’s too bad, as I like the feel of the gun. Maybe someday they will get it worked out.

I have both revolvers, a classic Colt Cobra (1972) and a new Taurus 856UL. Both revolvers will get the job done and I take both to the range with me. However, I carry the Taurus every day, while the Colt stays home in the gun safe. Why? Because if i need to defend myself, I don’t want my classic Colt Cobra to be rusting away in an evidence room until I get it back. The lower cost Taurus 856UL is, basically, my “throw down”. LOL … just saying.
Didymus

I now have 3 Taurus revolvers, a 605, 617, and 627. After purchasing the 605, I liked it so much that I sold a Smith & Wesson and Ruger to buy the other two. The 617 is now my daily carry, the 605 my nightstand weapon, and the 627 my woods gun. Taurus has had their problems, but they currently make fine revolvers with the best double action triggers on the market.

The author hits the nail on the head in his end statement “If Taurus can keep these out of the repair center…”A human body needs all of its parts working together to function. So to a company.Taurus has the worst repair center I have ever dealt with. I sent in a gun for warranty work and it took them six months to send me back my gun (now rusty)without repairing it and no excuse why it took them so long to do nothing.It needed a centerpin which I ended up fitting myself due to the companies total incompetence. This is not a unique case it is unfortunately the rule. (R.I.P. Taurus you were once a great gun maker )